Joshua Barnes's Passions

Joshua Barnes's Bio

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Idaho born, I spent my growing-up years in the Teton Range, the River of No Return Wilderness, and the ID/MT continental divide.

Now, I play in the Wasatch and the Uintas trying to figure out the exact perfect place for sunsets. In the winter, I ski and snowshoe in the canyons (and occasionally in downtown SLC when it really dumps & I need Chinese food).

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

Warm enough for casual days. They've got a good look ... hobo chic. I have pretty big hands and they fit perfectly. These aren't super hot so they're perfect for winter driving and casual wear. Finger-free means you can use your phone without having to de-glove.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

Grabbed a couple of these to have as extras for when I go camping with my nephews. They're fully functional, basic headlamps just shrunk down a bit.

They have a screw closure (so little 'uns can't open these up and try to eat the batteries), but other than that they're pretty similar to a grown up model. With the adjustable headband, an adult could probably even use it in a pinch.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I picked this up for backpacking since it's pretty lightweight and can hook me up with my morning caffeine fix, but it's turned into an every day go-to. Hot water+coffee+ enough time for me to get down to my car and start driving. I have the freshest-pressest coffee ever, and I don't have to clean the coffee machine when I get home.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

i was nervous about the hard backing adding weight, but it really wasn't noticeable, and it made it so easy to slide the reservoir into my pack's sleeve. Hauling the reservoir from the stream to filter water and refill was a lot easier thanks to the handle and hard backing, definitely an upgrade from trying to carry my pump filter in one hand and balance a floppy reservoir in the other.

The magnetic valve was pretty awesome too. No clipping or sliding, just get it close and it hooks on.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

So good. The other day, I actually raided my backpacking supply so I could eat one of these for dinner. Cheesy goodness in a bag. Just make sure you mix it well, or you'll end up with crunch pasta where the noodles didn't get a chance to rehydrate.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

These shoes definitely get noticed. The leather feels good and looks like the quality leather it is. I've been wearing them sans socks, and they haven't gotten stinky thanks to the antimicrobial treatment. The cork footbed is cush.

I liked these so much I bought a pair for my dad for father's day These really look like insanely stylish shoes, but underneath the looks, these things are crazy comfortable.

I bought this bottle because I wanted a glass bottle, but I really didn't want to deal with a bottle that would break easily. I was convinced when a coworker accidentally dropped hers while walking past my desk. I braced for the spray of glass shards and water, but the bottle's rubber bumpers protected it, and it was just fine.

It's obviously not indestructible, but if you want glass, and you don't want to worry about your bottle being easily breakable, this is a winner.

I wanted something comfortable for hanging out at home or casual hangouts, and this hoodie fit the bill. The fleece is really soft inside, and you can tell by the feel that it's really well made. I ran the hoodie through the drier so it wouldn't be quite so baggy, and I shrunk the sleeves a bit shorter than I wanted so be careful if you're going to machine dry this hoodie--it will shrink a bit. Also, the neck and hood are snug around my neck so it really holds in warmth. Perfect for chilly mornings, but maybe too warm for inside if the heat is turned up past 68.

All in all, it's just what I needed for chilly,chill times when comfort is key.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

So, I like a pack that is feature-rich, and this pack is loaded with handy organizational spots and comfort features. It's light, but it's focus really isn't on being ultra-light. If you don't mind packing a few extra oz in order to to have a lot of features, this is a win.

I also was a little bit worried about the squeaking issues from the auto-adjust hinged support systems, but I haven't heard a peep yet. If it does start making noise, I'm just going to hit it with a little silicone-based lubricant.

I like the lid/fannypack combo. I thought I would hate it because I generally try to stay away from fanny packs. But, the lid pack is more of sachel with a single strap. It's handy for afternoon walks.

I usually wear gloves, but wanted to try these mittens because I liked the graphics.

They kept my hands fairly warm. When I've worn then the temperature dropped to around zero, i needed a knit liner underneath them. I really dig the way they look. The white suede palms get dirty pretty easy so if you're doing a lot of grabs or the park gets muddy you might to watch where you put your hands.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I got these for resort days and chill days on the mountain. I snagged the Merlot pair and wear them with a 686 faux-denim jacket. The look is clean and gives me a little bit of color without making me feel like I'm wearing a neon clown suit.

Familiarity:
I've put it through the wringer

I bought a pair of these for a Christmas gift, and then got a bad case of present envy, so I bought a pair for myself. too.

I love the vintage style of these boots. They kind of remind me of the ones my grandpa wore around the farm. I'm not out feeding cows or anything, but they are amazing when the temperature drops or we get a heavy pile of fresh snow in Park City. They're warm, and I dig the way they look.

Familiarity:
I've used it several times

I've eaten a lot of backpacking food, and I favor the dehydrated, just-add-water varieties, but this is probably my personal favorite. The flavor is bold without being overbearing. Pack some flatbread and you've got an authentic Indian meal.